Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
For the frosting:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- Fresh blackberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pans and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat the sugars, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the buttermilk, mixing well. Slowly incorporate the hot water, mixing until the batter is smooth and slightly runny.
- Gently fold the blackberries and optional chocolate chips into the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly into prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Heat the heavy cream until just boiling, then pour over the chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Allow to cool slightly for frosting or glaze.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread ganache over it, add fresh blackberries, then top with the second cake layer. Cover with remaining ganache and decorate with extra blackberries.
Notes
- Use fresh blackberries for the best flavor, but frozen can be substituted if thawed and drained thoroughly.
- Ensure all ingredients, especially chocolate chips and cocoa powder, are high quality for best results.
- Allow the cake to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420 Kcal
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg